Jellyfish Art Gallery and Cafe

The Jellyfish Art Gallery sits just outside South Brent in Devon, and it's one of those spots that catches you off guard. You're expecting a standard contemporary space, but instead you get art installations that actually make you think, paired with a cafe that does decent coffee and cake. The gallery itself is intimate - not vast, but that's rather the point. Works tend to lean toward mixed media and sculpture, though the programme rotates, so what's on depends when you visit.

It's the sort of place that works brilliantly if you're the type who likes spending an hour or two browsing properly, reading the artist statements, grabbing a brew. Families with very young children might find it a bit slow, but teenagers with any interest in contemporary art will get something from it. The cafe is actually rather good - proper local roasts, homemade cakes. You could easily combine it with a day exploring the Devon countryside or a stay at nearby Ashbourne Woods, which is only a couple of miles away and gets top marks from visitors.

Go mid-week if you can. Weekends draw more crowds and the cafe gets a bit rammed. Allow a solid hour if you're taking your time, though you could do it quicker. Check ahead for their opening hours and admission costs before heading out - details aren't published online, so a quick phone call saves a wasted journey. Worth the detour if art and decent coffee appeal to you.